IAAF Photo Finish Guidelines

IAAF Photo Finish Guidelines
3.1.4 The IPFJ will need to confirm whether the cameras in use have an automatic iris
adjustment and aligning function. During the Championships, there is a wide
range of lighting conditions between morning and evening session, the latter
likely to be under floodlights. If such an automatic function is not available, then
it will be necessary to enquire how accessible the cameras are to enable manual
adjustments to be made, other than during a complete break in the competition
sessions. The biggest problem may well lie with the infield camera which, clearly,
is not accessible for manual adjustment of exposure or focus during the course of
a session. As will be appreciated, the key races in terms of media interest are
likely to be held during the evening session in adverse lighting conditions,
coupled with strobing caused by the artificial lighting. Every effort needs to be
made to make the images produced to be of the highest possible clarity.
3.1.5 Contact should be made with the representative of the Service Provider
responsible for the relaying of results from the terminal in the photo finish room
to determine what data will be needed to identify the finishing order of the
athletes. In races run in lanes, this is almost inevitably by the input of the
appropriate lane number. For events not finishing in lanes, the process needs to
be clearly identified.
If the draw order (and corresponding leg / hip number) is to be used there needs
to be a careful check that the numbers have been allocated correctly. In
Championships, it is perhaps unlikely that athletes will be sharing lanes but in
these instances there is always the chance that the athletes sharing the lane have
been allocated leg / hip numbers the wrong way round. The Service Provider
seldom seems to wish for the draw order to be utilised for inputting other than in
races run wholly in lanes.
If bib numbers or names are to be used for inputting, there is a greater chance of
misunderstanding of the digits called, possibly four in total, if the Judge is not
suitably fluent in the language being used.
3.1.6 Identify if there is any form of test event or rehearsals planned prior to the first
day of competition and attend such event together with the NPFJ. The rehearsal
event can often be a good indicator of the level of competence and speed of
decision-making by the NPFJ and may influence the level of support which will
need to be provided by the IPFJ during the actual competition.
3.1.7 If the photo finish system is assisted by an integrated video camera showing the
finish line from a head on position, the value of such camera in the identification
of athletes can be vital. As the cursor on the image on the read computer is
moved, the image from the video camera is advanced to the same elapsed time
automatically.
It is essential that the IPFJ checks that the video camera shows the finish line at
least as far out as lane 6 and that the image is suitably in focus. It is also
essential the IPFJ is alert to anything which might block the image in the course
of a finish. Judges, photographers and others may well not be aware of the
function of such a camera and may inadvertently stray into the line of vision of
that camera at a critical time during the finish of a middle distance race.
The image from this camera should be made available for scrutiny in close
proximity to the screen showing the image from the main photo finish camera.
3.1.8 It is essential that the photo finish room is set out, as far as possible, with the
screens showing the image from the “official” and the infield camera in close
proximity to each other so that both may be reviewed quickly.
3.1.9 Attend, if possible, the first meeting of the National Judge(s) and the Service
Provider team.
3.1.10 Identify the level of communication and understanding of language between the
operators and the National Judge(s). If there are obvious language difficulties
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